New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-08-11
MASSED LABOR AGAINST MASSED MONEY.
MR. powpERLY SAYS THAT THE FUTURE OF THE

MR. PowDERIY SAYS THAT THE FUTURE OF THE
woRKISGMEN DEPENDS on ASSOCIATION.
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 10 (SpeciGn.-T. " Pow
dery in Tie journal OF United Labor to be Issued
on Saturday next has an editorial headed Associa-
ton the Watchword OF the Future in the course OF
which lie says:
The individual employer hardly eK,sts to-day. and
that legal entity. the Joint stock col poraton Is pac
tically passing away. The " combinations POOLS
aud trusts OF manufacturers are Dcconing the
iasl ion in the industrial world This means simply
confederation OF employers to raise the prices OF art
cles of ordinary consumption by means OF curtailing
their production u does not mean the raising OF
wages IN the industries affected, put iess "orh
an less paw and workmsn generally suffer IN proper
ton this artificial restriction OF production. Tor they
are the largest consumers in society and spend th.
greater part OF their incomes IN mere subsistence ~
means 4 deterioration OF the worker socially ana
iudnstrally. On tho other hand tbs industrai evo-
lutiou the advent and development OF the factory
system. has elected changes in another direction.
The ourneymen handcraitsmen have gone from tue
scepe and given way Ia operatives whose ma>sie inlp
factories has not only made possible but necessary
combination their part OF n tar more enecuVe Emu
than the old trades unions, whose day OF usefulness
is ast passing away II belonged to an earlier period
before the cOnquests OF labor--aving machinery ana
tine rr.nins minute subdivisions ct trade To which tho
modern Machine il restricted and which require Dut
a minimum of skill and apprenticeship. Nearly every
department industry mas been Affected Skilled aud
un-kItled labor are now more ana more spprohating
each other. where machinery IL not used To ahs
extent. Whenever employers get into trouble with
their employees tie remedy at once suggests lissthe
usc tool aud child wherever II Is poss'n.e sItau
o. All THIS puts tremendous cluo Iu tuo
hands o employers. especially II they are cOmOnon
with which 10 keep dissatisfied employees on good
behavior IL "a state OF affairs with which tue 0ld-
siyl. trade union Il entirely unable To cOhtend a
trade union IS necessari, selfish. restricted IN iis
mutually and b,Lehts and narrowed IN 10 hchoo'-
elip It's effectiveness decreases in inverse ratio TO
the acquiring the ttade subdiVlsiOh OF tno
trade which II sents Labor organizations to De
viyotous ndu,triay must include within their pale
or have control every wagewoiker VINO Is aoio
o. come into competition with its members. Bnt IA we
know the 30 .sible field of competition "a day eA-
tended far workers are concerned, anu mas 'ci
labor must ptt-d against Ia tssed capa' OF u Will
10 to the wall. The sOdarit, ui the entire WORKING
class their ony cope under the present wage SNs-
tom and this can only secured oil tie Ordcr
OF the kni ,h. Labor watch gathers 1to one told
all branches OF honorable toll. without regard to
nationality SEX creed COLOR Association ID tue
watchwoi of the future.
Mr.. PoNlcrly also asks for legislation competing
weekly payment OF wages aud prohibiting uuder
scverr pen alties the truck check s,sem aud says
IL PROBABLY il true that frequent settlement oil
wages would great Inconvenience 10 many ehl-
poycfs. and IL might compel somo To CLOSE up shop
and 20 out OF business WE'LL let them 30. IL they
cannot get along without leaning upon Their working
men too heasily we can do better without them 10
the work sman ruirequcnt pay Is "a very serious
matter. Few have money TO start on, and thnt
means trading credit. and creiit means at least an
increase OF 10 per in the cost OF nying III he
cannot obtain credit he ia entirely ut the mercy OF ms
employers rs IL tue case with many of the workmcn
III the mining regions; but at the best he Is almost
sure 10 he several weeks io debt-a condition OF thnSs
winch discourases independence and irusality.